Mitchell International confirmed this morning that it has signed an agreement to purchase California based Ensera, Inc. The terms of the agreement were not released but the company did say that the transaction is expected to close in several weeks. Ensera, founded in 2000, acquired a few existing businesses including Go Media Inc., the owner […]
AASP Plans New National Organization
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) held its first meeting of the new millennium, and the focus was on the future. The meeting was held on April 7, 2000, in Kansas City, Missouri. After a year of operating as a loosely-organized coalition, plans are underway to formalize the organization as a national entity in […]
IIHS: Cosmetic Crash Parts Are Irrelevant To Auto Safety
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) collision repair sheet metal, including fenders, door skins, bumper covers, and the like, are irrelevant to vehicle safety. According to the IIHS, the crash performance of parts from non-OE suppliers would have no impact compared to cosmetic parts from original-equipment manufacturers in terms of their safety. […]
No Major Industry Y2K Problems Reported
Y2K preparations appear to have paid off for the industry. Yesterday, we sent out several hundred emails requesting if anyone had experienced, or knew of Y2K problems. As of this morning, we received over 40 responses and not a single major Y2K issue was reported. Minor problems were reported with some older 486 hardware that […]
NAII Cites Auto Repair Issues in 2000 R.I. Legislative Session
The National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII) list auto repair procedures, third-party bad faith lawsuits, and privacy protection for insurance company compliance audits as three issues at the top of their agenda of the 2000 Rhode Island legislative session. “The Rhode Island legislature left several critical issues unsettled in 1999,” said Gerald L. Zimmerman, associate […]
Poll Finds 79 Percent Of Internet Users Want To Process Insurance Claims Online
ebix.com Inc. (Nasdaq:EBIX) yesterday announced that a recent poll show 79 percent of Americans using the Internet want to process insurance claims online. The poll was conducted on the ebix.com website, an insurance industry portal. The company believes this is a major shift in attitude among consumers. It is important to note, however, that the […]
Aftermarket Parts Lawsuits Hit Canada
AXA Canada and ING Canada named in class action. IBC to look at insurance company practices. Insurance companies in Canada are starting to feel the impact of the U.S. aftermarket parts class action trial that ended October 8th in Illinois with a $1.18 billion award against State Farm. Some recent Canadian events: A class action […]
Automotive Recyclers Believe Media and Insurers Fail to Report the Full Parts Story
The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) believes that following the verdict against State Farm, many in the media and insurance industry have misled the public about a potential monopoly for new OEM replacement parts absent the availability of aftermarket parts. How so? We have all forgotten about the value of recycled OEM replacement parts as a […]
Snap-on Incorporated Makes Announcement
Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA) announced yesterday that chairman, president and chief executive officer, Robert A. Cornog, underwent surgery this week and it was successful. He is expected to return to his full-time duties after a suitable recovery period. Donald S. Huml, senior vice president-finance and chief financial officer, temporarily will take on the oversight of day-to-day […]
Ford Purchases Hamilton, Ontario-Area Auto Recycler
John Norris from the Hamilton District Autobody and Repair Association (HARA) in Hamilton, Ontario reports that Ford of Canada has announced their entry into the Canadian auto recycling market with the purchase of Plazek Auto Recyclers of Caistor Centre, just outside of Hamilton. According to Norris, Plazek’s is a well known and respected auto recycler […]